I have seriously overstretched with a barbecue and I am panicking.

[Theresip]

I decided to have a barbecue next weekend because I’ve got my garden looking the way I want it and I do enjoy hosting. I’ve been inviting people for the last couple of weeks or so. I thought I’d invited around 10 people but I haven’t. I’ve invited almost 20. I’ve only just counted them up and now I am seriously panicking.

I’m not a particularly good cook, never mind on a barbecue. How on earth can I do 20 burgers and sausages and time it so people aren’t sitting starving? It’s a charcoal barbecue so putting more charcoal on after one batch would mean some people waiting another 40 minutes whilst the coals cook and I cook again?? What can I do?

And also, my garden isn’t tiny, but it’s not particularly big. I have a garden sofa and stools that could fit around six people near the kitchen door, and then on the upper decking I’ve got a high dining table that would seat another six. I do have additional small stools but they’re too little for the high table and it would be very squashed round the other table because it’s right in front of the kitchen where everyone will be getting their drinks.

Any advice gratefully received. I have never hosted for this number.

Are there any men coming? Every BBQ I’ve been too, the blokes can’t help themselves and gravitate around the grill in a congregation for a chat and to take turns cooking, even if they’re just guests, it’s like a males natural habitat (stereotypical, I know) 🤣
If these are good mates of yours, I’m sure they’d be happy enough helping you out by cooking some things for you, while you cook some bits in the oven to get them started. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your nearest and dearest! (Assuming they are)

Honestly, they’ll probably be happy you asked! :)

IME there is always at least one person (usually male, lets face it) who loves being the chef at BBQ's, so maybe send a message asking if there are any volunteers for doing that while you do everything else.

I always end up with that job at our family BBQ's because apparently I am best at it....I think its cos no one else can be arsed lol!

I am feeling VERY confident you will have someone who will be happy to do it.

ETA X post!!!

Thank you!

Zero alpha males will be at this barbecue - or at least none of them would ever suggest they should take over the barbecue.

No but I bet if you asked when people arrive if they would mind helping with it, you will get lots of volunteers.

They would definitely be happy to help but I don’t really want to be cooking in the kitchen. It’s not big and it would get crowded easily.

Really surprised that so many people are saying that men would want to take over a barbecue even when they are guests. I am confident that none of the men invited to this one will want to show off their manliness by taking charge of the barbecue.

Thanks. I don’t really want someone to do it for me. It’s just the logistics.

It awakens their inner cave man "Me man, man make fire, man feed tribe"!

But I am a woman and I would happily do it if asked, I still think you will get volunteers.

All adults or kids too?

If you have spare space/cash just pop and buy some stackable plastic garden chairs for like £10 each tomorrow, but most people will stand and talk anyway.

I second crisps, dips, quiches, hotdogs can be boiled in bulk they take a few minutes on the hob, i premake all tofu / chicken / veggie skewers the day before. They cook so quickly, we've always saved any pork and stuff for later in the day.

If you over buy on rolls/buns/baguettes then no one will go hungry because you can just throw a slab of cheese out and people can make a roll, it's no big deal.

If you have time you can cook some gammon up in the slow cooker and shred and leave it with baguettes whilst the bbq reheats.

For children (and adults tbf) I would buy a bunch of cheap crisps / donuts / muffins and leave them on the kitchen side as a free for all.

But mostly - don't be worried if someone else takes over for half hour. You are entitled to sit down and enjoy a burger and drink and a chat as well. If you don't let anyone help then you will not end up having a good time yourself and it will all be wasted efforts really.

No, just me hosting. I don’t live with DP and he isn’t invited.

It ranges from very, very good friends to people I’ve only met a couple of times. They all know each other though.

I’m sure I would but I don’t really want guests cooking the food. It’s just the logistics I’m worried about.

I’m sure the women would accept a request too.

Thank you!

No kids at all. I think the gammon idea is excellent, I might do that.

Yes.

The people invited all know each other from work - past and present. He doesn’t really know any of them, has met a couple once or twice, but other that wouldn’t know anyone at all. Not a particularly exciting reason!

Cook sausages and chicken in the oven until fully cooked, just “finish” on bbq for authentic slightly burnt taste. Burgers are harder but you could batch cook in a frying pan earlier in the day so are just bringing to heat. Serve green sala, pasta salad, make coleslaw yourself (easiest in a food processor but you can use a box grater too) and perhaps have some frankfurters on standby if it all goes. Ask friends to contribute desserts and side dishes perhaps (coordinating who is bringing what, any vegetarians ask them to bring something than can be pan fried due to cross contamination). I also do veggie kebabs, these can be cooked in your oven ahead too